Recently, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences announced six “China’s top new archaeological discoveries in 2024,” with the Wuwangdun Tomb No. 1 in Huainan, Anhui Province, making the list.

The Wuwangdun Tomb No. 1 has been under continuous excavation and research for over five years since 2020. It has been confirmed as the largest scientific excavation, the highest grade, and the most complex structure of the large-scale high-grade tombs of the Chu State to date. Over 10,000 artifacts have been unearthed, including 154 bronze vessels. The bronze vessels are arranged around a central bronze ding, forming a fundamental ritual set comprising nine dings paired with eight guis and eight fus, seven dings paired with six dous and six duns, along with three huo dings and three gukou dings. These discoveries, distinctly different from previously known Chu tombs, reveal unique ritual systems of the Chu royal tombs from the late Warring States period.

Musical instruments constitute a major category of artifacts in the  Wuwangdun Tomb No. 1. Among the finds are two sets of 23 bronze chime bells, a set of 20 stone chimes, no fewer than 50 (sets of) zithers, and at least 5 types of drums, with no fewer than 10 (sets of) yu. Experts have noted that the musical instruments from the tomb reflect a substantial shift compared to high-ranking Chu tombs of the early and middle Warring States period. Large sets of chime bells were largely replaced by stringed and woodwind instruments, illustrating the evolution of Chu ritual and musical culture during the Warring States period and uncovering new dimensions of Chu ceremonial music.

It is reported that in 2022, the Wuwangdun Archaeological Site Park was approved as one of Anhui Province’s first provincial-level archaeological site parks. The “Protection and Management Plan for Wuwangdun in Huainan” and the “Plan for Wuwangdun Archaeological Site Park in Huainan” have already been completed, and efforts are actively underway to secure joint approval for Wuwangdun and Shouchun City as a national archaeological site park. The Wuwangdun Archaeological Workstation has been essentially completed, and the Wuwangdun Site Museum is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.

Huainan has a profound and rich cultural heritage rooted in Chu and Han traditions, which complement and enhance each other. Huainan City is now seizing the opportunity presented by the excavation of Wuwangdun Tomb to establish a tourism development framework based on a “one line, three zones, and ten key points” structure. This initiative aims to accelerate the development of the Chu-Han Cultural Tourism Core Area, bringing Chu-Han culture to life.